Download Art Deco - McCray Art

Art Deco
1925 - 1940
The term “art deco” was derived from the “Exposition
Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industrial Modernes” which
was held in Paris in 1925.
Art Deco visual motifs include geometric shapes, curves, Egyptian
zigzags, sunbursts, lightning bolts, airbrushed ray bands , motion lines,
aerodynamic and streamlined forms.
INFLUENCES
The “flapper” was a young woman who
flaunted social conventions, smoked
cigarettes, went out dancing at jazz clubs
and dressed provocatively for the times.
The flapper style was influenced by Coco
Channel, a designer who embodied the
modern woman. She designed
“streamlined” clothes that were comfortable
to wear.
Actress Louise Brooks was one of many
actresses associated with the flapper style.
INFLUENCES
Although art deco was
considered an “early modern”
style, there was not political
ideology associated with it.
Where other modern movements
stayed on the fringe, art deco
gained popular acceptance.
This radio design is based on
“pure” geometric shapes.
INFLUENCES
This rug design uses both geometry
and parallel lines to evoke the art
deco look.
The art deco look represented
luxury, extravagance, glamour,
glory of the machine age culture,
consumerism, speed.
Strong vertical lines and pure geometry make these buildings art deco.
Many movie theatres were built in the art deco style.
Faith in the machine and technology was at an
all-time high. The pursuit of ever increasing
speed became an end in itself. The scientific
principle of aerodynamics was used to
increase the speed of everything from
airplanes to trains. Later these streamlined
shapes began to appear in everything from
cameras to refrigerators.
The simplicity of plakatstil also influenced the art deco look..
AM Casandre was the most influential designer of the art deco era. His advertising posters
and type designs helped define the art deco look.
Cassandre’s first large poster design for “The Woodcutter” department store was 12 feet
wide. His airbrushed ray band motif became a major influence in the look of art deco
graphics.
Cassandre always began with the text and
choice of typography (which he often
invented). His illustrations are always based
on geometric shapes.
Cassandre often reduced his
subjects to silhouettes and
geometric symbols.
Cassandre believed in the total integration
of word and image. This is perhaps this
single most important contribution to
Integration of type
and image.
Cassandre’s illustrations helped romanticize the appeal of the motor car, locomotive, and
ocean liner. Instead of promoting things, he sold ideas using motion and action.
Cassandre’s bold simple designs and large planes of color emphasized the
2D aspect of the poster.
Cassandre Type
Geometric art deco
The name of this
typeface is called
Peignot. It became
synonymous with
everything French.
Cassandre took his own life in
1968. A letter of rejection for
a new typeface design was
found on his desk.
Cassandre’s raybands and
geometric type makes its way to
America.
In America, “art deco” was
sometimes referred to as “art
moderne,” “jazz style” or
“streamline style.”
Note the glamorous lifestyle
dipected.
Vogue Cover
Bolin
1926
“Jazz style” depicted
with raybands
A reinterpretation of
Cassandre’s 1925
poster by Jean Carlu
(1931)
Metropolis
Fritz Lang
1927
Urban landscape
Urban landscape
romanticized with
Geometric shapes.
Joseph Binder
Otto Bamberger
Swiss
1932
Using Art Deco
today